Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

by PAM VOIGT

North Carolina ranks as the nation’s 28th largest state, while remaining the 10th largest in terms of population. The reason for such a large population is the vast amount of terrain and climates North Carolina has to offer. The state features the Atlantic Ocean as an eastern border, and the Appalachian and Smokey Mountain ranges along its western border. The Outer Banks also make their home in the state of North Carolina as the largest string of islands detached from the mainland in the United States. North Carolina is also home to a number of large cities that play host to professional and college sports teams. With all of these areas to explore it’s no wonder why North Carolina travel is so popular. North Carolina’s Atlantic coast covers around 45% of the state’s climate and geographic breakdown. Deep Sea fishing charters, scuba and snorkeling and assorted powerboat activities are just a few of the options families and couples have when they visit North Carolina’s Atlantic coast. Due to the formation of the Outer Banks along the coastline, the beaches along the mainland are located on the sound which means less intense waves and a shallower depth, perfect for families with little ones.

The Appalachian and Smokey Mountain ranges run along the western border of the state. The mountain ranges feature a number of activities for those interested in another side of North Carolina travel. Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain in the state at a towering 6,684 feet. Not only does this make it the tallest mountain in the state of North Carolina, but it is also the tallest mountain on the east coast of the United States. The mountain ranges in North Carolina offer year-round fun for the entire family, everything from camping and hiking in the summer to downhill skiing and snowboarding in the winter. The Appalachian Mountain range can deliver fun during your travels through North Carolina.

The Outer Banks, located along the eastern Atlantic coast, are a string of islands that stretch along the entire coastline of the state. The fragile islands are made up of only sand that was built up over the years creating separate islands that are detached from the mainland and only connected to the rest of the state by State Highway 12. The Outer Banks themselves feature 130 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. The islands are comprised of mainly hotels and beachfront rental property. With a number of islands and beaches, North Carolina travel has never been easier.

Charlotte and Raleigh are the two biggest cities in North Carolina. Both of the cities feature a vibrant night life and a number of professional sports teams where you can catch a game while exploring the city. Charlotte is home to the NBA’s Bobcats and the NFL’s Panthers. Raleigh, on the other hand, is home to NHL’s Hurricanes. Along with professional sports teams, the state of North Carolina is home to one of the fiercest rivalries in all of college basketball. The University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the University of Duke Blue Devils have been playing each other for almost 100 years. Their games consistently rank among the most popular games of the regular season because of their deciding factor on a number of ACC championships.

With so much to do and see in the Tar Heel State, it is no wonder why North Carolina travel is so popular among families and couples from all over the United States.

by LING TONG

The barrier islands of North Carolina are called the Outer Banks. They consist of the following communities:

- Duck Cove

- Southern Shores

- Kill Devil Hills

- Nag Head

- Oregon Inlet

- Rodanthe

- Waves

- Salvo

- Buxton

- Hatteras Village

- Frisco

- Ocracoke

You are never far away from any of these communities because the drive along the length of the area is only a little over 70 miles. It is easy to travel to this area from any direction and it is only a short distance from either the airport in Norfolk, Virginia or Raleigh, North Carolina.

This coastal region offers a myriad of sports and outdoor adventures for everyone. Enjoy scuba diving, windsurfing, kite surfing, swimming, walks along the sandy beaches, biking and some of the best fishing experiences in the world. If you are interested in visiting historical sites, you have many options to choose from. Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills to learn all about the brothers?historic flight. Learn about the first Europeans to start a settlement in what is now the United States at the 25-acre park on Roanoke Island. Visit lighthouses or follow the Civil War Trail.

Explore the many museums that tell the story of the islands and the first peoples who lived there. Learn about the many shipwrecks that have occurred off the shores at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Visit the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge where you will not only see alligators, but hundreds of different kinds of wildlife in their natural habitats. See the majestic trees and flowers of the Elizabethan Gardens and visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which stretched for 70 miles. You can learn about the many life-saving devices used in sea rescues and visit lighthouses and lifesaving stations. Some of the attractions on the Barrier Islands are free of charge, while others do have an admission cost.

Families with children can enjoy spending a day at one of many theme parks and raceways where the children can have a super time. Go-cart racing is very popular and miniature golf is an activity for the whole family. Take a wild horse safari to see the wild horses that still roam some of the islands or you might like to take a dolphin tour.

Accommodations abound in rental properties that are super luxurious. Some of these accommodations are homes that the owners rent and can accommodate large numbers of guests. You can swim in your own private pool and take a boardwalk to the beach. A short drive from where you are staying will take you to numerous attractions and stores where you can indulge in shopping. If camping is your preference, there are many campgrounds in the region and of course there are many hotels and motels where you will be quite comfortable.

Dine on a luxurious meal in one of the many restaurants or grab something to take with you to the beach. If you choose a rental property you can cook for yourself in the well-equipped kitchen or have a barbecue on the deck. You can also have a bonfire on the beach, but you do have to make sure that you obtain a permit to do so. There are so many things to do on vacation in this part of North Carolina that it will likely take you several visits to see and do them all.

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